Sanjha Morcha

MoD finally okays key ‘Make in India’ policy

MoD finally okays key ‘Make in India’ policy

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 30

Ending 14 months of wait, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) on Monday okayed the guidelines for operating the ‘strategic partnership model’ policy under which foreign companies can partner Indian companies to produce military equipment locally. Chaired by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, the Defence Acquisition Council is the highest decision-making body of the Ministry of Defence. The policy on strategic partnerships in defence sector was approved in May 2017 and it was made a part of defence procurement procedure (DPP), the guiding framework of making military equipment in India. To start off, the Defence Acquisition Council approved specific guidelines for procurement of naval utility helicopters. The Navy is looking for 111 such copters that will be based on ship-decks to replace the ageing fleet of Kamov copters.India’s attempt to join the nations producing world-class military equipment hinges on strategic partnership (SP) model. Production of four crucial military items fighter jets (both for the Navy and IAF), submarines, helicopters (for all three services) and new-generation tanks are listed under this model.All these items are cutting-edge equipment needed in a battle. The ‘SP model’ allows an Indian private company to collaborate with a foreign partner and produce military equipment in India.What guidelines say

  • Incentives for foreign companies that transfer niche technology and provide for higher indigenous content
  • All procurements under strategic partnership would be executed by specially constituted Empowered Protect Committees to provide focused attention and ensure timely execution